Venetian blind cleaning device



m, 1a, was 15. SMITH 2,624,899

VENETIAN BLIND CLEANING DEVICE Filed March 12, 1951 a INVENTOR:

ATT RN Y Patented Jan. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND CLEANENG DEVICE Thomas S. Smith, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March 12,1951, Serial No. 215,138 4 Claims. (Cl. 15-130) This invention relates to a device for cleaning Venetian blinds such as applied to the windows of all types of buildings and has particular reference to a portable device which is operable to cleanse the slats of the blinds without having to take down the blinds.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive blind cleansing device which is so light and compact that it may be held supported by the person performing the cleaning operation without discomfort. More particularly, it is the object of the invention to provide a device including a reservoir for a suitable cleaning fluid, in combination with slat engaging devices through which a cleaning fluid may be caused to flow in the manner and under the pressure best suited for the cleaning operation.

Another object is to provide an electrically actuated, switch controlled device including a wire connection which may be plugged into the nearest or most conveniently located wall socket. A still further object is to provide a device the cleansing elements of which remain under complete manual control during the entire cleaning operation to the end that the work may be completed with the least amount of efiort and in the shortest possible time.

These and the further objects of the invention, together with the many advantageous features thereof, will be better understood upon perusal of the following detailed description and by referring to the accompanying drawing in which a preferred form of the invention is illustrated.

in the drawing:

Fig. 1 illustrates, in perspective, a portable slat cleaning device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the upper slat cleaning member of the device; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the lower slat cleaning member as it appears after the upper member has been removed therefrom.

As shown in Fig. 1, the device of the invention includes'a container l, within which is provided a reservoir for a suitable cleaning fluid, and blind slat engaging members 2. The latter are by means of a flexible conduit 3 shown operatively connected to receive fluid from this reservoir in the manner which will now be described.

A pump 4 is mounted within the container and it is shown driven by an electric motor 5. The latter is conveniently mounted within a housing 6 rising from the container and it is by conductors 1 connectible with a source of energy in any conventional manner. A switch 8 is provided to control the operation of the motor and pump. A pipe 10 extends from the pump to carry cleansing fluid through the flexible hose 3 and a conduit 12 to the upper and lower members of the cleansing device. A valve I3 is cut into this pipe for manually controlling the flow of fluid to the slat engaging members.

The upper member [5 takes the form of a substantially oval casing of a thickness, or height, best suited for insertion between the slats of the blind to be cleaned and it is pivotally secured to an arm l6, as indicated at I! in the drawing. This arm extends from the conduit 12 to support the lower cleansing member 20. A finger piece 21 extends from the upper member, by means of which this member may be manually swung away from the lower member, and a spring 22 is provided to maintain the members in contact with a slat under sufiicient pressure to perform the cleaning operation.

A flexible hose 23 connects the conduit l2 with the interior of the upper member to carry fluid from the reservoir thereinto, as best shown in Fig. 1. The bottom wall of this member is provided with a multiplicity of fine perforations 24 through which the fluid may flow on to the upper surface of the slat when the valve 13 is opened. A thin pad 21 of suitable spongy material is applied to the bottom wall of the member and it may be detachably held in position thereon by straps 25 engaging lugs 26 at the side edges of the member.

Pipes 30, 31 extend from the conduit l2 through the side wall of the lower member 20 to carry fluid into a casing 32 which is placed within this member in spaced relation to the outer wall of the member 2!], as best indicated at M in Fig. 3. This casing, which is of a size to receive thereon the pad 21 of the upper member, has a foraminous top surface on which a corresponding spon y pad 33 is laid.

When the two members are constructed, shaped and combined as above briefly outlined, it is seen that they may be applied to a Venetian blind to engage each slat thereof and that the spring 22 will maintain the members securely in engagement with the slat while the device is moved back and forth along the slat as required for the cleaning operation. The fluid controlled by the valve i3 is slowly flowing, or percolating through the pads and will thoroughly clean the surfaces of the slats. All surplus fluid will drain through the space 4| between the casing 32 and the outer wall of the member 20, thence through an opening 29 in the wall of the lower member 28 to pass through a conduit 34 and a hose 35 back into the cleaning device which is so light and compact 1 that it may be carried by the person operating the device without discomfort. The container is,

for this purpose, shown fitted with lugs 31 to} which a pair of suitable shoulder straps may "be attached. Such strap is indicated at 38 in the drawing.

While I have above described a preferred form of the invention, it is not intended therebyfo limit the invention to the arrangements, propor 4 3. A slat cleaning device comprising, a container for cleaning fluid, two slat engaging members pivotally interconnected, resilient means urging the two members together, the upper member including a casing having a foraminous bottom shaped to contact the slat to be cleaned, the lower member including an outer receptacle,

and a casing within the receptacle in spaced retions and shapes illustrated in the drawing, but I reserve the right to embody therein modificationswithin the scope of the claims hereto app'e'nde'dJ i I claim:

1. A slat cleaning device comprising, a container for cleaning fluid, two slat engaging members pivotally interconnected, resilient means urging the two members together, the upper member including a casing having a foraminous bottom shaped to contact the slat to be cleaned, the lower member including an outer receptacle, and a casing within the receptacle in spaced relation thereto, said lower casing having a foraminous upper surface shaped to engage the opposite surface of the slat, flexible conduits from the container to the two casings, a pump within the container-forcin'g cleaning fluid through said conduits into the two casings and through the foraminous surfaces thereof into the outer receptacle of the lower member, and a flexible conduit from saidreceptacle. for returning the cleaning fluid to the container.

2.'A slat cleaning device comprising, a container for cleaning fluid, two slat engaging members pivotally interconnected, resilient means urging the two members together, the upper member including a casing having a foraminous bottom shaped to contact the 'slatto be cleaned, the lower member including an outer receptacle, and a casing within the receptacle in spaced relation thereto, said lower casing having a foraminous upper surface shaped to engage the opposite surface of the slat,.spongy pads on said foraminous surfaces, flexible conduits from the container to the two casings, a pump within the container forcing cleaning fluid through said conduits into the two casings and through the foraminous surfaces thereof into the outer receptacle of the lower member, and'a flexible conduit from said receptacle for returning the cleaning fluid to the container.

lation thereto, said lower casing having a foraminousupper surface shaped to engage the opposite surface of the slat, flexible conduits from the .container to the two casings, a pump within the container. forcing cleaning fluid ,through said conduits into the two casings and through the foraminous surfaces thereof into the outer receptacle of the lower member, spongy pads on the foraminoussurfaces of the two casings, straps for holding the spongy pad on the upper member, and a flexible conduit from said receptacle for returning the cleaning fluid to the container.

4-. A slat cleaning device comprising, a Con,-

tainer for cleaning fluid, a shoulder strap attached to said container, two slat engaging members pivotally interconnected, resilient means urging the two members together, the upper member including a casing having a foraminous bottom shaped to contact the slot to be cleaned, the lower member including an outer receptacle in spaced relation thereto, said lower casing having a foraminous upper surface shaped to engage the opposite surface of the slat, flexible conduits from the container to the two casings, a pump within the container forcing cleaning fluid through 'said' conduits into the two casings and through the foraminous surfaces thereof into the outer receptacle of the lower member, and a flexible'conduit from said receptacle for returning the cleaning fluid to the container.

THOMAS S. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

